Arizona Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer battled second-half timing and chemistry issues to pull out his first win with his new team. He went 22-of-39 (56.4 percent) for 248 yards, 6.4 yards per attempt, one touchdown and one interception for a 73.5 passer rating.

The offensive line played well all game, as they allowed just one sack and kept Palmer clean most of the day. Running back Rashard Mendenhall carried 15 times for 66 yards (4.4 yards per carry) and scored the game-winning one-yard touchdown run with two minutes to go in regulation.

Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford played an excellent game, managing his offense very well but coming up just short when it mattered. Stafford completed 24-of-36 (66.7 percent) for 278 yards, 7.7 yards per attempt, two touchdowns and no interceptions for a 108.3 rating.

The Lions' vaunted defensive line was rendered useless most of the afternoon. Rookie defensive end Ziggy Ansah had a sack and strip of Palmer that would have resulted in a turnover, but a penalty on the defense negated it. The Cardinals would turn that into a Jay Feely field goal—one of the four he hit on the day.